CPR and AED in Action

Marcene McGowen, an instructor in First Aid and an Emergency Medical Technician with Eastside Fire and Rescue, gave an informative refresher course in the uses of CPR and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines at Friday’s meeting. Her major message was that CPR doesn’t restart the heart in the event of cardiovascular failure, it only buys time until a medical team can arrive. The AED is the latest technology which actually becomes the critical link in the chain of survival involving victims of cardiac arrest.

“Time is critical in an emergency,” Marcene observed. She revealed a chart that showed damage to the body is not likely within zero to four minutes; damage is possible if the condition is allowed to persist from 4 to 6 minutes; from 6-10 minutes, damage is very likely; and after 10 minutes, it is irreversible.

Marcene McGowen demonstrates the Heimlich maneuver with her dummy, er, uh, model, Steve Lingenbrink.

“Training of all people in CPR gives a victim at 50% chance of survival. For strokes, seizures, a diabetic attack, burns, and broken bones, where shock may occur, CPR can mean the difference between life and death.” At this point, Steve Lingenbrink — a busy man this Friday morning — arose from his seat coughing painfully, which brought Marcene to the rescue! She demonstrated the Heimlich maneuver, named after our worthy member Brian Heimbigner. They shortened the name because Brian has three syllables in his name, which takes longer to say.

Steve was restored to good health and the meeting continued. As Marcene said, “Knowledge of CPR and the Heimlich maneuver can save a life. People you know and love are protected if you have the knowledge of what to do in an emergency.” Utilizing CPR in a choking or cardiac emergency can buy up to “four more minutes as the emergency crews respond.”

The balance of the meeting was left to demonstrating the AED. “This machine will restart the heart. It’s simple to use by following the audible directions when activated.” An AED can correct irregular rhythms that may prevent the heart from properly circulating blood and oxygen throughout the body. As AEDs become more common in businesses, public areas and schools, the opportunities to save lives with these devices dramatically increases.

“With heart attacks and heart disease the number one killers of both men and women in America, it’s important that we all know how to use these machines,” Marcene said. She is a certified Red Cross instructor and told her audience that a complete First Aid, CPR and AED class could take from 5 to 6-1/2 hours.

Marcene McGowen receives thanks in the form of a book donation certificate in her name.

Marcene was asked a question regarding the maintenance of the AED machine, and she said each machine has a computer chip that checks the battery at 3:00 a.m. daily. “Some person needs to be responsible for the machine, and in our schools, the school nurse is the logical choice.” An AED unit costs between $1,700 and $2,500. The BBRC has expressed interest in sponsoring a Saturday course for members, their friends, and families.

Thanks to Marcene McGowen for her timely and important presentation. She received a certificate indicating the BBRC has made possible a book to a young reader on the Eastside in support of literacy programs. Thanks to Dick Brown for his introduction.